1|Page
BSN 215 Dosage Calculation Comprehensive
Exam Questions With Correct Answers &
Rationales 2026 Upgrade Complete Exam
Subject: Nursing Pharmacology and Dosage Calculation
Source: BSN 215 Dosage Calculation Comprehensive Exam Guide (2026)
Format: Multiple-choice and numeric-response dosage calculation
problems with step-by-step rationales.
1. The healthcare provider prescribes trimethoprim-
sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim-DS Oral Suspension) 120 mg BID for a
child with bronchitis. The Bactrim bottle is labeled 200 mg/5 ml. How
many ml should the nurse administer at each dose? (Enter numeric
value only.)
A. 2 ml
B. 3 ml
C. 4 ml
D. 5 ml
, 2|Page
Correct Answer: B (3 ml)
Rationale:
1. The formula used is Desired dose ÷ Available dose × Quantity.
2. Desired dose = 120 mg. Available dose = 200 mg per 5 ml.
3. Calculation: (120 mg ÷ 200 mg) × 5 ml = 0.6 × 5 ml = 3 ml.
2. A 180-pound adult male is admitted to the Emergency Center
after receiving thermal burns to 60 percent of his body. Using the
Parkland formula of 4 ml/kg/24 hours, the client should receive how
many ml of fluid during the first 24 hours? (Enter numeric value only.
If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
A. 18000 ml
B. 19632 ml
C. 20000 ml
D. 21000 ml
Correct Answer: B (19632 ml)
Rationale:
1. Convert weight from pounds to kilograms: 180 lb ÷ 2.2 = 81.8 kg.
2. Apply Parkland formula: 4 ml × weight (kg) × % burn.
3. Calculation: 4 ml × 81.8 kg × 60 = 19632 ml.
, 3|Page
3. The healthcare provider prescribes acetazolamide (Diamox)
600 mg/m²/day divided into 3 doses. The nurse calculates the child’s
body surface area (BSA) as 0.7 m². How many mg should the child
receive per dose? (Enter numeric value only.)
A. 120 mg
B. 140 mg
C. 160 mg
D. 180 mg
Correct Answer: B (140 mg)
Rationale:
1. Calculate total daily dose: 600 mg/m² × 0.7 m² = 420 mg/day.
2. Divide total daily dose by number of doses: 420 mg ÷ 3 = 140
mg/dose.
4. A loading dose of acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) 8 grams, which is
available as a 20% solution (200 mg acetylcysteine per ml), is
prescribed by nasogastric tube for a client with acetaminophen
toxicity. How many ml of diluent should be added to the medication to
obtain a 1:4 concentration? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is
required, round to the nearest whole number.)
A. 100 ml
, 4|Page
B. 120 ml
C. 140 ml
D. 160 ml
Correct Answer: B (120 ml)
Rationale:
1. Convert grams to mg: 8 g = 8000 mg.
2. Calculate volume of 20% solution needed: 8000 mg ÷ 200 mg/ml =
40 ml.
3. For 1:4 concentration, total volume = 40 ml × 4 = 160 ml.
4. Diluent needed = total volume − solution volume = 160 ml − 40 ml =
120 ml.
5. A child who weighs 55 pounds receives a prescription for
atovaquone with proguanil (Malarone Pediatric) 125 mg/50 mg PO
daily. A drug reference states that children 11–20 kg should receive 1
pediatric tablet daily; 21–30 kg should receive 2 pediatric tablets
daily; 31–40 kg should receive 3 pediatric tablets daily; and greater
than 40 kg should receive 1 adult tablet daily with food. The drug is
available as atovaquone 62.5 mg/proguanil 25 mg pediatric tablets.
How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 1
BSN 215 Dosage Calculation Comprehensive
Exam Questions With Correct Answers &
Rationales 2026 Upgrade Complete Exam
Subject: Nursing Pharmacology and Dosage Calculation
Source: BSN 215 Dosage Calculation Comprehensive Exam Guide (2026)
Format: Multiple-choice and numeric-response dosage calculation
problems with step-by-step rationales.
1. The healthcare provider prescribes trimethoprim-
sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim-DS Oral Suspension) 120 mg BID for a
child with bronchitis. The Bactrim bottle is labeled 200 mg/5 ml. How
many ml should the nurse administer at each dose? (Enter numeric
value only.)
A. 2 ml
B. 3 ml
C. 4 ml
D. 5 ml
, 2|Page
Correct Answer: B (3 ml)
Rationale:
1. The formula used is Desired dose ÷ Available dose × Quantity.
2. Desired dose = 120 mg. Available dose = 200 mg per 5 ml.
3. Calculation: (120 mg ÷ 200 mg) × 5 ml = 0.6 × 5 ml = 3 ml.
2. A 180-pound adult male is admitted to the Emergency Center
after receiving thermal burns to 60 percent of his body. Using the
Parkland formula of 4 ml/kg/24 hours, the client should receive how
many ml of fluid during the first 24 hours? (Enter numeric value only.
If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
A. 18000 ml
B. 19632 ml
C. 20000 ml
D. 21000 ml
Correct Answer: B (19632 ml)
Rationale:
1. Convert weight from pounds to kilograms: 180 lb ÷ 2.2 = 81.8 kg.
2. Apply Parkland formula: 4 ml × weight (kg) × % burn.
3. Calculation: 4 ml × 81.8 kg × 60 = 19632 ml.
, 3|Page
3. The healthcare provider prescribes acetazolamide (Diamox)
600 mg/m²/day divided into 3 doses. The nurse calculates the child’s
body surface area (BSA) as 0.7 m². How many mg should the child
receive per dose? (Enter numeric value only.)
A. 120 mg
B. 140 mg
C. 160 mg
D. 180 mg
Correct Answer: B (140 mg)
Rationale:
1. Calculate total daily dose: 600 mg/m² × 0.7 m² = 420 mg/day.
2. Divide total daily dose by number of doses: 420 mg ÷ 3 = 140
mg/dose.
4. A loading dose of acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) 8 grams, which is
available as a 20% solution (200 mg acetylcysteine per ml), is
prescribed by nasogastric tube for a client with acetaminophen
toxicity. How many ml of diluent should be added to the medication to
obtain a 1:4 concentration? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is
required, round to the nearest whole number.)
A. 100 ml
, 4|Page
B. 120 ml
C. 140 ml
D. 160 ml
Correct Answer: B (120 ml)
Rationale:
1. Convert grams to mg: 8 g = 8000 mg.
2. Calculate volume of 20% solution needed: 8000 mg ÷ 200 mg/ml =
40 ml.
3. For 1:4 concentration, total volume = 40 ml × 4 = 160 ml.
4. Diluent needed = total volume − solution volume = 160 ml − 40 ml =
120 ml.
5. A child who weighs 55 pounds receives a prescription for
atovaquone with proguanil (Malarone Pediatric) 125 mg/50 mg PO
daily. A drug reference states that children 11–20 kg should receive 1
pediatric tablet daily; 21–30 kg should receive 2 pediatric tablets
daily; 31–40 kg should receive 3 pediatric tablets daily; and greater
than 40 kg should receive 1 adult tablet daily with food. The drug is
available as atovaquone 62.5 mg/proguanil 25 mg pediatric tablets.
How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 1
